13134 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 35 / Wednesday, February 21, 2024 / Notices 

Public Comments Invited: You are 

asked to comment on any aspect of this 

information collection, including (a) 

Whether the proposed collection of 

information is necessary for FAA’s 

performance; (b) the accuracy of the 

estimated burden; (c) ways for FAA to 

enhance the quality, utility and clarity 

of the information collection; and (d) 

ways that the burden could be 

minimized without reducing the quality 

of the collected information. The agency 

will summarize and/or include your 

comments in the request for OMB’s 

clearance of this information collection. 

OMB Control Number: 2120–0679. 

Title: Reduced Vertical Separation 

Minimum. 

Form Numbers: N/A. 

Type of Review: Renewal. 

Background: The authority to collect 

data from aircraft operators seeking 

operational approval to conduct 

Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum 

(RVSM) operations is contained in Part 

91, Section 91.180, as established by a 

final rule published in the Federal 

Register on October 27, 2003 (68 FR 

61304) and in Part 91, Section 91.706, 

as established by a final rule published 

April 9, 1997 (62 FR 17487, Apr. 9, 

1997). Aircraft operators seeking 

specific operational approval to conduct 

RVSM operations outside the U.S. must 

submit their application to the 

responsible Flight Standards office. The 

responsible Flight Standards office 

registers RVSM approved airframes in 

the FAA RVSM Approvals Database to 

track the approval status for operator 

airframes. Application information 

includes evidence of aircraft equipment 

and RVSM qualification information 

along with operational training and 

program elements. 

Respondents: Operators are required 

to submit application for RVSM specific 

approval if they desire to operate in 

RVSM airspace outside the U.S. or if 

they do not meet the provisions of Title 

14 of the Code of Federal Regulations 

(14 CFR), Part 91, Appendix G, Section 

9—Aircraft Equipped with Automatic 

Dependent Surveillance—Broadcast 

Out. The FAA estimates processing 900 

initial applications annually and 2,136 

annual updates to existing approvals. 

Frequency: An Operator must make 

application for initial specific approval 

to operate in RVSM airspace, or 

whenever requesting an update to an 

existing approval. 

Estimated Average Burden per 

Response: 4.00 hours for updates to 

existing applications and 6.8 hours for 

application of initial approvals. 

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 

14,664 hours [(2,136 × 4.00) + (900 × 

6.8)]. 

Issued in District of Columbia. 

Christopher A Mitchell, 

Aviation Safety Inspector, Operations, FAA, 

Flight Technologies & Procedures Division. 

[FR Doc. 2024–03469 Filed 2–20–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration 

[Docket No. FMCSA–2013–0122; FMCSA–

2013–0123; FMCSA–2015–0326; FMCSA–

2015–0329; FMCSA–2016–0003; FMCSA– 

2017–0058; FMCSA–2019–0111; FMCSA– 

2020–0024; FMCSA–2021–0015] 

Qualification of Drivers; Exemption 

Applications; Hearing 

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration (FMCSA), Department 

of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of final disposition. 

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its 

decision to renew exemptions for 16 

individuals from the hearing 

requirement in the Federal Motor 

Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for 

interstate commercial motor vehicle 

(CMV) drivers. The exemptions enable 

these hard of hearing and deaf 

individuals to continue to operate CMVs 

in interstate commerce. 

DATES: Each group of renewed 

exemptions were applicable on the 

dates stated in the discussions below 

and will expire on the dates provided 

below. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 

Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical 

Programs Division, FMCSA, DOT, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, Room W64–224, 

Washington, DC 20590–0001, (202) 366– 

4001, fmcsamedical@dot.gov. Office 

hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

If you have questions regarding viewing 

or submitting material to the docket, 

contact Dockets Operations, (202) 366– 

9826. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Public Participation 

A. Viewing Comments 

To view comments go to 

www.regulations.gov. Insert the docket 

number (FMCSA–2013–0122, FMCSA– 

2013–0123, FMCSA–2015–0326, 

FMCSA–2015–0329, FMCSA–2016– 

0003, FMCSA–2017–0058, FMCSA– 

2019–0111, FMCSA–2020–0024, or 

FMCSA–2021–0015) in the keyword box 

and click ‘‘Search.’’ Next, sort the 

results by ‘‘Posted (Newer-Older),’’ 

choose the first notice listed, and click 

‘‘Browse Comments.’’ If you do not have 

access to the internet, you may view the 

docket online by visiting Dockets 

Operations on the ground floor of the 

DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590– 

0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET 

Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. To be sure someone is there to 

help you, please call (202) 366–9317 or 

(202) 366–9826 before visiting Dockets 

Operations. 

B. Privacy Act 

In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 

31315(b)(6), DOT solicits comments 

from the public on the exemption 

requests. DOT posts these comments, 

without edit, including any personal 

information the commenter provides, to 

www.regulations.gov. As described in 

the system of records notice DOT/ALL 

14 (Federal Docket Management 

System), which can be reviewed at 

https://www.transportation.gov/ 

individuals/privacy/privacy-act-systemrecords-notices, the comments are 

searchable by the name of the submitter. 

II. Background 

On January 3, 2024, FMCSA 

published a notice announcing its 

decision to renew exemptions for 16 

individuals from the hearing standard in 

49 CFR 391.41(b)(11) to operate a CMV 

in interstate commerce and requested 

comments from the public (89 FR 433). 

The public comment period ended on 

February 2, 2024, and no comments 

were received. 

FMCSA has evaluated the eligibility 

of these applicants and determined that 

renewing these exemptions would likely 

achieve a level of safety that is 

equivalent to, or greater than, the level 

that would be achieved by complying 

with § 391.41(b)(11). 

The physical qualification standard 

for drivers regarding hearing found in 

§ 391.41(b)(11) states that a person is 

physically qualified to drive a CMV if 

that person first perceives a forced 

whispered voice in the better ear at not 

less than 5 feet with or without the use 

of a hearing aid or, if tested by use of 

an audiometric device, does not have an 

average hearing loss in the better ear 

greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 

Hz, and 2,000 Hz with or without a 

hearing aid when the audiometric 

device is calibrated to American 

National Standard (formerly ASA 

Standard) Z24.5–1951. 

This standard was adopted in 1970 

and was revised in 1971 to allow drivers 

to be qualified under this standard 

while wearing a hearing aid (35 FR 

6458, 6463 (Apr. 22, 1970) and 36 FR 

12857 (July 8, 1971), respectively). 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 35 / Wednesday, February 21, 2024 / Notices 13135 

1 In their renewal request, the applicants 

additionally asked for relief from 49 CFR 393.11, 

which requires ‘‘lamps or reflective devices’’ to be 

affixed to the rear of a load that extends more than 

4 feet beyond a trailer. Because this is a new request 

for exemption, FMCSA is not considering the 

request with the renewal of the current exemption. 

FMCSA will process that request separately. 

III. Discussion of Comments 

FMCSA received no comments in this 

proceeding. 

IV. Conclusion 

Based upon its evaluation of the 16 

renewal exemption applications, 

FMCSA announces its decision to 

exempt the following drivers from the 

hearing requirement in § 391.41(b)(11). 

As of January 6, 2024, and in 

accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 

31315(b), the following four individuals 

have satisfied the renewal conditions for 

obtaining an exemption from the 

hearing requirement in the FMCSRs for 

interstate CMV drivers (89 FR 434): 

Steven Andrews (FL) 

John Brown (MN) 

Jerry Doose (MN) 

Donald Howton (AL) 

The drivers were included in docket 

numbers FMCSA–2015–0326, FMCSA– 

2015–0329, or FMCSA–2017–0058. 

Their exemptions were applicable as of 

January 6, 2024 and will expire on 

January 6, 2026. 

As of January 8, 2024, and in 

accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 

31315(b), the following three 

individuals have satisfied the renewal 

conditions for obtaining an exemption 

from the hearing requirement in the 

FMCSRs for interstate CMV drivers (89 

FR 434): 

Matthew Burgoyne (MN); Joshua 

Gelona (OK); Eduardo Pedregal (TX). 

The drivers were included in docket 

number FMCSA–2016–0003. Their 

exemptions were applicable as of 

January 8, 2024 and will expire on 

January 8, 2026. 

As of January 14, 2024, and in 

accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 

31315(b), the following four individuals 

have satisfied the renewal conditions for 

obtaining an exemption from the 

hearing requirement in the FMCSRs for 

interstate CMV drivers (89 FR 435): 

Geoffrey Canoyer (MN) 

Chase Cooke (VA) 

Douglas Gray (OR) 

Sue Gregory (UT) 

The drivers were included in docket 

numbers FMCSA–2013–0122, 

FMCSA–2013–0123, or FMCSA– 

2017–0058. Their exemptions were 

applicable as of January 14, 2024 and 

will expire on January 14, 2026. 

As of January 21, 2024, and in 

accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 

31315(b), the following five individuals 

have satisfied the renewal conditions for 

obtaining an exemption from the 

hearing requirement in the FMCSRs for 

interstate CMV drivers: 

Mario Alvarado (CA) 

Kevin Clickner (MI) 

Herman Fleck (PA) 

Matthew Honkanen (MN) 

Michael Steffen (IN) 

The drivers were included in docket 

numbers FMCSA–2017–0058, FMCSA– 

2019–0111, FMCSA–2020–0024, or 

FMCSA–2021–0015. Their exemptions 

were applicable as of January 21, 2024 

and will expire on January 21, 2026. 

In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 

31315(b), each exemption will be valid 

for 2 years from the effective date unless 

revoked earlier by FMCSA. The 

exemption will be revoked if the 

following occurs: (1) the person fails to 

comply with the terms and conditions 

of the exemption; (2) the exemption has 

resulted in a lower level of safety than 

was maintained prior to being granted; 

or (3) continuation of the exemption 

would not be consistent with the goals 

and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136, 49 

U.S.C. chapter 313, or the FMCSRs. 

Larry W. Minor, 

Associate Administrator for Policy. 

[FR Doc. 2024–03435 Filed 2–20–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration 

[Docket No. FMCSA–2018–0090] 

Parts and Accessories Necessary for 

Safe Operation; Exemption Renewal 

for Automobile Carriers Conference 

and Auto Haulers Association of 

America 

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration (FMCSA), Department 

of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of provisional renewal of 

exemption; request for comments. 

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its 

decision to provisionally renew an 

exemption requested jointly by the 

Automobile Carriers Conference (ACC) 

of the American Trucking Associations 

and the Auto Haulers Association of 

America (AHAA) to relieve motor 

carriers operating stinger-steered 

automobile transporter equipment from 

the requirement to place warning flags 

on projecting loads of new and used 

motor vehicles. The Federal Motor 

Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) 

require any commercial motor vehicle 

(CMV) transporting a load which 

extends more than 4 feet beyond the 

rear of the vehicle be marked with a 

single red or orange fluorescent warning 

flag at the extreme rear if the projecting 

load is 2 feet wide or less and two 

warning flags if the projecting load is 

wider than 2 feet.1 The exemption is 

renewed for 5 years, unless revoked 

earlier. 

DATES: This renewed exemption is 

effective February 15, 2024, through 

August 9, 2024, unless revoked earlier. 

Comments must be received on or 

before March 22, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

identified by docket number FMCSA– 

2018–0090 using any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

https://www.regulations.gov/docket/ 

FMCSA-2018-0090/document. Follow 

the online instructions for submitting 

comments. 

• Mail: Dockets Operations, U.S. 

Department of Transportation, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, 

Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590– 

0001. 

• Hand Delivery or Courier: Dockets 

Operations, U.S. Department of 

Transportation, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, West Building, Ground 

Floor, Washington, DC 20590–0001, 

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

David Sutula, Vehicle and Roadside 

Operations Division, Office of Carrier, 

Driver, and Vehicle Safety, FMCSA, 

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590–0001; (202) 366– 

9209; MCPSV@dot.gov. If you have 

questions on viewing or submitting 

material to the docket, call Dockets 

Operations at (202) 366–9826. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Public Participation and Request for 

Comments 

A. Submitting Comments 

If you submit a comment, please 

include the docket number for this 

notice (FMCSA–2018–0090), indicate 

the specific section of this document to 

which the comment applies, and 

provide a reason for suggestions or 

recommendations. You may submit 

your comments and material online or 

by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but 

please use only one of these means. 

FMCSA recommends that you include 

your name and a mailing address, an 

email address, or a phone number in the 

body of your document so the Agency 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES